Start with the age
A boiler under about ten years old is generally worth repairing — parts are available and it has plenty of life left. Past twelve to fifteen years, parts get harder to source and other components are closer to failing too, so a repair can be a short-lived fix.
Weigh the repair against replacement
A useful rule of thumb: if a single repair costs more than around a third of a new boiler, and the unit is already old, replacing usually makes better sense. One affordable repair on a newer boiler is almost always worth doing. If you’re weighing up a new unit, our guide to what a new boiler costs lays out the numbers.
Don’t forget running costs
An old boiler that still works can quietly be costing you money. Older units are often much less efficient than a modern condensing boiler, so a replacement can pay back part of its cost through lower bills — worth factoring in alongside the repair quote.
Reliability and peace of mind
If you’ve had the same boiler fixed two or three times in a year, the honest answer is usually that it’s telling you something. Constant breakdowns — especially in winter — carry a cost of their own. We’ll lay out the options plainly and let you decide.
Not sure whether to fix or replace? We’ll give you the honest maths on your boiler — repair cost, age and running costs — with no pressure either way. Gas Safe engineers across South Manchester and Cheshire.
See our boiler repair service
